Police arrest 135 suspected cultists in Lagos, recover 26 firearms

The Lagos State Police Command has announced the arrest of 135 suspected cultists following coordinated raids across various criminal hideouts and black spots within the state. The operation, aimed at curbing cult-related violence, also resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

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Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, comprising Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), Tactical Commanders, and the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, PSC, MNIPS, and on credible intelligence, conducted a simultaneous raids across identified criminal hideouts and black spots within the State to prevent cult-related violence associated with the 7/7 celebration/initiation.

According to the police, the simultaneous raids were specifically timed to prevent potential violence linked to the annual "7/7" celebration, a period often associated with initiation activities for rival cult groups. The recovered items include 26 firearms, 16 dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, battle axes, and daggers, as well as cult insignia, charms, and illicit substances.

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The operation led to the arrest of one hundred and thirty-five (135) suspected cultists and the recovery of twenty-six (26) firearms, sixteen (16) other dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, battle axes, daggars and knives, cultist insignia, assorted charms, eleven (11) bottles of different alcoholic brands, substances suspected to be Indian hemp and other illicit drugs, as well as six (6) mobile phones.

The operation was carried out under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, and involved Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and the Violent Crime Response Unit. Intelligence reports had indicated plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks. The police stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of these gangs, and the arrested suspects will face charges in court.

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The operation followed intelligence indicating plans by rival cult groups to launch attacks and engage in other criminal activities.